08/06/2026
If You Get Sick in Italy, Please Don’t Make These Mistakes
Getting sick on holiday in Italy is stressful, especially when you do not speak the language and you do not know where to go.
But here is the part many visitors do not understand: the biggest problem is usually not Italian healthcare.
Italian healthcare is good.
The problem is using the wrong part of the system.
Every summer, tourists lose half a day or even a full day because they go straight to the emergency room for a problem that could have been handled much faster at a pharmacy or by a non-emergency doctor.
So save this before you travel.
1. Don’t go straight to the emergency room for every problem
In Italy, the emergency room is called Pronto Soccorso.
It is for real emergencies: chest pain, breathing problems, suspected stroke, serious injuries, broken bones, severe allergic reactions, heavy bleeding, or anything that feels dangerous or urgent.
It is not the best place for a mild stomach problem, sunburn, a normal fever, headache, insect bites, mild food poisoning, sore throat, or a small rash.
Why?
Because Italian emergency rooms use triage.
That means you are seen based on urgency, not based on who arrived first. If your problem is minor, you may wait for hours while serious cases go ahead of you.
The system is not ignoring you.
You are just in the wrong place.
2. Don’t forget that the pharmacy should often be your first stop
In Italy, a farmacia is not just a shop with shampoo and vitamins.
The pharmacist is a qualified professional and can help with many common travel problems: stomach issues, diarrhea, mild fever, cold symptoms, headache, sunburn, insect bites, minor cuts, ear discomfort, sore throat, mild allergic reactions, and many skin irritations.
You walk in, explain the problem, and they usually tell you what you need.
Most of the small health problems tourists panic about can often be handled here in 10 or 15 minutes.
Look for the green cross.
That is the sign of a pharmacy.
3. Don’t panic if it is Sunday or late at night
Many visitors see a closed pharmacy and think they have no option.
But there is usually a farmacia di turno, which means a duty pharmacy open at night, on Sundays, or on public holidays.
Closed pharmacies often display the address of the nearest open duty pharmacy on the door or window.
So before rushing to a hospital, check the pharmacy door, ask your hotel, or search for the nearest “farmacia di turno.”
4. Don’t ignore the number 116117
This is one of the most useful numbers tourists rarely know.
116117 is for non-emergency medical assistance in many parts of Italy. It can connect you with the Guardia Medica, the out-of-hours doctor service.
Use it when you need a doctor but it is not an emergency.
For example: a fever that is not improving, an infection that may need a prescription, a child who is unwell, pain that needs proper advice, or anything you would normally call your family doctor about at home.
This is exactly the kind of situation where people often go to the emergency room by mistake.
5. Don’t forget about Guardia Medica Turistica in tourist areas
In many popular tourist destinations, especially during high season, there may be a Guardia Medica Turistica.
This is a doctor service for visitors and non-residents.
It can be very useful in beach towns, mountain resorts, and major tourist areas when you need medical help but not an emergency room.
Ask your hotel, tourist office, or call 116117 to check what is available where you are.
6. Don’t travel without saving the important numbers
Before arriving in Italy, save these in your phone:
112 — European emergency number. Use this for police, ambulance, fire, or any serious emergency.
118 — Direct ambulance number in Italy.
116117 — Non-emergency medical assistance in many areas of Italy.
The number you choose matters.
If it is serious, call 112 or 118.
If it is not an emergency but you need medical advice, 116117 may save you hours.
7. Don’t forget your EHIC card if you are from the EU
If you are an EU citizen, bring your European Health Insurance Card.
It can give you access to necessary public healthcare in Italy under the same conditions as residents.
Keep it with your documents, not buried somewhere in your luggage.
8. Don’t think travel insurance is optional if you are not from the EU
If you are from the United States, Canada, Australia, the UK, or outside the EU, make sure you understand what your insurance covers before you travel.
A small problem may be manageable.
But a serious medical situation, follow-up care, prescriptions, or private services can become expensive quickly.
Travel insurance is not the most exciting part of planning Italy.
But when something goes wrong, it becomes one of the most important things you have.
The simple rule:
Minor problem? Go to the farmacia first.
Need a doctor, but it is not an emergency? Call 116117 or ask for Guardia Medica.
Real emergency? Call 112 or 118, or go to Pronto Soccorso.
Italy will take care of you.
But your trip will be much easier if you know which door to knock on first.
